The Tottenham error to blame for ending their trophy hopes this season

Tottenham Hotspur's lack of activity in the January transfer window is already looking like a major error on the club's behalf, after what has been a disastrous week for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday before they lost to Chelsea in the League Cup Final, with their hopes of lifting silverware in Mauricio Pochettino's first season in charge all but ended.

The Argentine has still had a hugely positive impact at White Hart Lane, but their two most recent results are a massive disappointment and it has dented the optimism around the club somewhat.

Spurs had looked in with a good chance of ending their seven-year wait for a trophy, but their lack of squad depth ultimately cost them and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Although Tottenham have one of the largest squads in the Premier League, their back-up players are far short of the quality required to cover for their more prominent stars, and it cost them this week.

Pochettino had not wanted to risk fatiguing his squad so he named a weakened side against Fiorentina and they looked short of the quality needed to topple the Italians.

The Daily Mail suggested that Tottenham's reason for not spending in January was because they felt they could achieve better value if they waited, but surely the slight financial loss would have been cost effective had it helped them deliver a trophy.

Just one or two quality additions may have been the difference between success and failure this season and Tottenham are likely to be rueing their decision not to spend, as they reflect on what might have been.

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.